The Clever Move by the Sub-Inspector
The scammer warned the receiver that they were “virtually arrested.” Unbeknownst to the fraudster, the person on the other end was sub-inspector Feesto T D from the Thrissur cyber cell. Without revealing his identity, Feesto played along, keeping the caller engaged to gather evidence.
The scammer instructed Feesto to install the Zoom app for further interaction. Pretending his camera wasnâ€t working, the SI avoided showing his face while recording the caller, who was dressed in a police uniform.
The Scammer’s Shock
During the call, the scammer asked Feesto what he was doing. At that moment, the SI turned on his webcam, revealing himself in full police uniform. The scammer was visibly shocked and quickly ended the call when Feesto revealed he had already traced his location to West Bengal.
Tracking the Fraudster
Although the call was disconnected, the police are now working to identify the scammer. “This is challenging because such fraudsters often use stolen mobile numbers belonging to poor people,†Feesto explained. Despite this, the investigation is ongoing.
SIâ€s Message on Awareness
Feesto expressed surprise that people still fall victim to such scams, even after numerous awareness campaigns. “Itâ€s shocking that such crimes persist, despite efforts to educate the public, including mentioned by the Prime Minister in his radio programme,†he said.
Inputs from TOI
